Manipur cannot be cut into pieces : Deputy Chief Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2012: Amid the Naga integration demand raised by the NSCN (IM) and the renewed demand for a separate Kuki State by the Kuki State Demand Committee, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has asserted that the State cannot be divided into pieces on the scaffold of any demand.

On the other hand, the United Naga Council (UNC), the umbrella body of all Naga civil bodies of the State, has been campaigning for an Alternative Arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur outside the State Government pending a settlement to the Indo-Naga political dialogue.

Demanding the creation of a separate Kuki State, the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) has called an indefinite public blockade on all State and National Highways passing through Kukiinhabited areas in Manipur from the evening of November 15 .

The Government will consider any reasonable demands, but any issue which would slice Manipur into pieces would not be enterained , said Gaikhangam and added that every section of community co-existing in Manipur will also not allow Manipur to disintegrate, said Gaikhangam.

Map of Manipur and inset Gaikhangam

"Both the Centre and the State will not entertain or consider any demand to break Manipur and the State Government has taken a firm stand to safeguard Manipur's territorial integrity," Gaikhangam told reporters at the sidelines of a felicitation programme on his being appointed as Deputy CM accorded by the Autonomous District Council (ADC) members of Tamenglong district at Langol Tarung in Imphal west today afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Gaikhangam was also similarly felicitated at Ragailong by the Zeliangrong Development Committee.

On being asked, the Home Minister, who is also the president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, said the State Government has full confidence in the commitments given by the Central leaders that Manipur's territorial integrity would be protected.

During a huge public meeting held in Imphal on December 3 last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that the Centre was committed to safeguarding Manipur's territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister , in the presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, had said there was no proposal of 'supra state' structure for the Nagas.

The KSDC has threatened to launch 'Quit Kuki land' movement if the democratic demand of the Kuki people to create a State of the community is not heeded timely by the Government.